Hermida Needs More At-bats Before Return

Recovering from a strained hip flexor, Hermida this week has played in four rehab games between extended spring training and Class A Jupiter. The Marlins opted to give him at least one more Friday.

Instead of returning to the Marlins' lineup, Hermida was the Hammerheads' starting right fielder for their contest in nearby Dunedin.

"He needs a few more at-bats," Girardi said. "He's feeling good and that's the important thing."

Whether Hermida will be back today or Sunday is speculative. Girardi hinted he might not want to use the left-handed hitting Hermida on Sunday against tough lefty Scott Kazmir.

Further complicating matters is shortstop Hanley Ramirez, who has missed the past three games with a tender shoulder. Robert Andino is filling in, but he'll likely go back to Triple-A when the Marlins activate Hermida.

The Marlins can fill in at short with Alfredo Amezaga, but he's banged up as well. Wednesday, he fouled a ball off his right knee, which remains swollen.

Pinto made his big-league debut Thursday and gave up a hit, a walk and struck out a batter during a scoreless eighth inning of the 9-1 loss. The Marlins demoted Pinto relatively early in spring training.

"When they sent me down, they said I was a little lost mechanically and my arm slot was too low," Pinto said. "That's one of the things I learned from spring training to now. I've gotten a lot better in that sense."

Pinto credits his work with Triple-A Albuquerque pitching coach Tom Brown for getting through those issues.

"He got into trouble a little bit early and found a way to get out of it," Girardi said.

"You hate to judge someone's stuff the first time they go out. The ball a lot of times feels like a foreign object. After the first couple of hitters he threw strikes and got ahead. ... We'll have to wait and see how he does the next few times he goes out."

A STEP FORWARD

Relief pitcher Carlos Martinez threw for about 20 minutes in the bullpen without incident. Out with an elbow injury, Martinez threw his full compliment of pitches.

The next step, which will take place Sunday or Monday, is to throw live batting practice. The Marlins will likely send him on a rehab assignment . Martinez thinks he could be ready sometime during the coming homestand.

CABRERA JUST BATS

Girardi gave Miguel Cabrera what he termed a "pseudo" day off Friday by using him as the designated hitter. Wes Helms got the start at third base.

Cabrera was a designated hitter one other time in 2004 and went 1 for 4.

"He's not going to get many [days off], so this is kind of a way to get his body off the turf a little bit and keep his bat in the lineup," said Girardi, adding Cabrera would not DH the whole series.